Kadeem Dacres

MOUILLERON LE CAPTIF, France (April 9, 2007) - The U.S. Under-17 '91 MNT shutout Mexico, 3-0, in their final match of the 35th Mondial Minimes International Tournament this afternoon in Mouilleron le Captif, France. With the victory, the U.S. finished in ninth place out of 12 teams.

The U.S. scored all three of its goals in the first half as they dominated Mexico for the entire game. The U.S. outshot Mexico, 13-4, and never allowed their rival to earn a single corner kick. Scott Caldwell, who suffered a shot to the lip and stayed in the game after getting eight stitches, was involved in all three goals.

The first two goals came off corner kicks, with the first coming in the ninth minute. Dersu Abolfathi timed his run perfectly to head home Caldwell's corner just in front of the Mexican goalkeeper.

Abolfathi was also able to get his head to another corner from Caldwell in the 20th minute, but this time he flicked it back to a waiting Kofi Sarkodie who was able to head it into the net from close range.

The final goal for the U.S. came off a penalty kick just before halftime. Caldwell was brought down in the box and Abdus Ibrahim finished from the spot.

CHANTONNAY, France (April 7, 2007) - The U.S. Under-17 '91 Men's National Team defeated Cameroon in penalty kicks, 5-4, this afternoon after battling to a 1-1 draw during their first match of the consulation bracket of the 35th Mondial Minimes International Tournament in Chantonnay, France.

The U.S. will now face Mexico on Monday, April 9.

Cameroon struck first in the 28th minute when forward Armand Biheng Boum intercepted a pass in the center circle and unleashed a shot from distance that beat goalkeeper Keegan Gunderson who was off his line.

The U.S. bounced back just minutes later when Alex Herrera played the ball down the right flank for CJ Phelps. The forward quickly took a touch toward goal before centering the ball across the boxx to a waiting Ryan Finley who finished past the Cameroon 'keeper.

CHATONNAY, France (April 5, 2007) - The U.S. Under-17 '91 Men's National Team fell to the Republic of Ireland, 2-1, this afternoon in their second match of the 35th Mondial Minimes International Tournament in Chantonnay, France.

With the loss, the U.S. finished last in the three-team Group D and will now move on to the consolation bracket. The U.S. will face Cameroon, who finished third in Group A with Russia and France, on Saturday, April 7.

The U.S., which had a chance to win the group after their scoreless draw with England on Wednesday, took the lead in the 16th minute behind a goal from Abdusalam Ibrahim. The attack started when Ben Speas slipped a through ball behind the Irish defense for Korey Veeder, who's breakaway was saved by the Irish 'keeper. Veeder raced the loose ball down on the left side and quickly served in a cross to Ibrahim, who headed the ball into the open net as the 'keeper attempted to recover.

The U.S. lead didn't last long as Ireland struck back five minutes later when James Wallace finished past Cody Mizell, who earned his first international cap with the U.S. U-17s. Mizell made an initial save, but Wallace was there for the rebound from close range.

Karl Sheppard provided the game-winner for Ireland before halftime off a corner kick when he snuck his shot past Mizell in the 40th minute after a scramble in the box.

LES ESSARTS, France (April 4, 2007) - The U.S. Under-17 '91 Men's National Team battled England to a scoreless draw this afternoon in their opening match of the 35th Mondial Minimes International Tournament in Les Essarts, France.

While the match was the opener for the U.S. in Group D, it was the second for England, who had defeated Ireland, 3-0, on Tuesday.

The U.S. will next face Ireland on Thursday. If the U-17 '91s can secure a four-goal victory over Ireland, the U.S. will win Group D.

The U.S. Under-17 ’91 Men’s National Team arrived in France last week to prepare for the 35th Mondial Minimes International Tournament in from April 3-9 in Montaigu, France. The U.S. was placed into Group D with England and Ireland in the 12-team tournament, and will play two games in two days, opening the tournament against England on Wednesday, April 4 and then facing Ireland on Thursday, April 5. The Group D games will be played in Chantonnay and Les Essarts. Depending on their standings in Group D, the U.S. will play two more placement matches on Sunday, April 7 and Monday, April 9. Group A includes France, Cameroon and Russia, while Group B includes Mexico, Germany and Belgium and Group C has Argentina, Italy and Japan. U.S. Under-17 assistant coach Raul Diaz Arce will lead the ‘91s through the tournament. Arce has named an 18-player roster for the trip, which includes a mix of players currently in U.S. Soccer’s Residency Program and players the coaching staff is looking at possibly inviting in for the next semester. The players from Residency include Gale Agbossoumonde, Amobi Okugo, Dersu Abolfathi, Kofi Sarkodie, Charles Renken (’93), Abdus Ibrahim, Scott Caldwell and Ryan Finley.